Feed delivering apparatus

ABSTRACT

A delivering apparatus is provided, of the conveyor type, preferably adapted for delivering feed to animals, wherein feed is deposited onto a moving conveyor, preferably through a hopper, and travels along an upper surface of the conveyor for a predetermined distance, until a switch is actuated, which in turn, actuates a motor, which causes the conveyor to tilt, such that the feed is dumped therefrom by gravity drop, toward a deflector plate, to be deposited at one side or other of the conveyor. Particular novelty resides in the dumping of feed laterally of the conveyor.

United States Patent Smoker et a].

[ 51 July 25,1972

1541 FEED DELIVERING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Beniamin K. Smoker, R. D. 3; Richard L. Weaver, R. D. 1, both of Myerstown, Pa. 17067; Marlin P. Weaver, 525 E. Maple Ave., Annville, Pa. 17003 [22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 11,544

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l98/57,198/185, 119/56 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B65g 47/18, 865g 15/00, AOlk 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..l98/185,187, 57; 119/51 A, 119/56 R; 222/55 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 706,294 8/1902 Beck ..l98/l87 616,688 12/1898 Richards.... ....198/187 3,400,805 10/1968 Thompson ..198/l85X 3,185,346 5/1965 Loreall et a] ..222/55 3,033,163 5/1962 Hostetler et a1. ,..l 19/52 AF 3,330,255 7/1967 Scott. et a]. ..l19/56 R 3,342,165 9/1967 Szymanski ..1 19/56 R Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorney-Paul & Paul [5 7] ABSTRACT A delivering apparatus is provided, of the conveyor type, preferably adapted for delivering feed to animals, wherein feed is deposited onto a moving conveyor, preferably through a hopper, and travels along an upper surface of the conveyor for a predetermined distance, until a switch is actuated, which in turn, actuates a motor, which causes the conveyor to tilt, such that the feed is dumped therefrom by gravity drop, toward a deflector plate, to be deposited at one side or other of the conveyor. Particular novelty resides in the dumping of feed laterally of the conveyor.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented July 25, 1972 3,679,042

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. BENJAMIN K.SMOKER RICHARD L. WEAVER BY MARLIN P. WEAVER WWI/A Q'ZWL ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 25, 1972 3,679,042

6 Shoots-Shoot INVENTORS. BENJAMIN K. SMOKER RICHARD L.WEAVER BY MARLIN P. WEAVER MPM ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 25, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m OMAV MSEA E W v .W mm

BRM

ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 25, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. BENJAMiN K. SMOKER RICHARD L. WEAVER MARLIN P. WEAVER ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 25, 1972 3,679,042

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 N I w I Q\ g Q g D al k 4 g E j 415 3) E123:

r v [I I 2 Q 4L INVENTORS.

Q; BENJAMIN K. SMOKER m RICHARD L. WEAVER N g m 9 BY MARLIN P. WEAVER Q Q 3 g M M ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 25, 1972 3,679,042

. 1 N V E N T NNNNNNNNNNNNN KER RRRRRRRRRRRRR ER M A N P W E AV BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In prior art feeding techniques, it has been commonplace to deposit feed onto a conveyor, and to convey the feed in this manner for a predetermined distance. Generally, however, the techniques used to remove the feed from the conveyor have involved brushing the feed off the conveyor, or plowing the feed laterally off the side of the conveyor, into an animal feed bin on one side or the other of the conveyor, or on both sides of the conveyor. Some types of such means for removing the feed from the conveyor have utilized a trolley that would traverse the conveyor, just above the surfacr thereof, which trolley would have a plow or the like on the front thereof, for pushing feed across the conveyor. Such trolley types of feed spreaders however, would be very expensive in their construction, complicated in their use, and often time consuming to utilize, in that it would be necessary to retract them to their original position prior to again distributing feed onto the conveyor. Thus, there would be substantial lost time in recycling for a subsequent use.

Still other types of conveying devices have been even more complicated, such as the type which would mount the conveyor for rolling of the same for distributing feed therefrom. This type also would be extremely expensive in their manufacture, often prohibitively so.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward overcoming the difficulties of cattle feeding on a macroscopic scale, by a device which is relatively simple in its construction and manufacture, as well as in its operation, and which therefore is economically advantageous in its simplicity. The present invention utilizes a movable conveying device which is pivotally tilted laterally of its carrying surface, for gravity drop of feed over one side of the conveying device.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel conveying device for pivotally tilting material carried thereon, most particularly animal feed, for delivering the feed by means of gravity drop, over one side of the conveying means.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the above object, wherein sensing means is disposed at one point along the path of movement of the material being conveyed, for actuating the sensing means, which in turn actuates a motor which effects the pivotal tilting of the conveyor upper surface.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the object immediately above, wherein the motor is adapted for returning the conveying means to its original position, which is a substantially horizontal position, such means preferably including a rod having one or more cables connected thereto, and passing over a pulley, and being connected to a lowermost tilted side of the conveying device.

Another object of this invention is to accomplish any of the objects recited above, wherein a novel hopper construction is utilized for depositing feed onto the conveyor device, such hopper having a pivotally movable side wall, for clearing the conveyor, during its tilting movement, and for allowing feed to be continuously deposited onto the conveyor, even during the tilted condition of the conveyor.

A further object of this invention is to accomplish any of the objects recited above, wherein feed is distributed in accordance with the disposition of a deflector plate that is located to engage feed or other material that falls by gravity from the conveyor, and to deflect such feed or other material to one side or the other of the conveyor.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel conveyor tilting device that may be hand actuated.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following brief description of the drawing figures, the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus in accordance with this invention, that is fragmentally broken, for the sake of clarity of illustration, such that major components of the apparatus may be clearly illustrated without unnecessarily lengthening the entire illustration.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical elevational view of the hopper end of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, taken generally along the line lI--II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical elevational view of the drive end of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken generally along the line IlI-Ill of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, taken generally along the line lV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a pulley construction of the type illustrated in FIG. 2, taken generally along the line VV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of the hopper end of the apparatus of this invention, taken generally along the line VIVI of FIG. 2, and wherein the substantially horizontal and tilted dispositions of the conveying means of this invention are illustrated in full line and phantom positions, respectively.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view through the conveying means and sensing mechanism of this invention, taken generally along the line VIIVII of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuitry for the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side elevational viewof an alternative form of the apparatus of this invention, with many components being shown in phantom for the sake of clarity, so that the full line components that comprise alternative driving means for tilting the conveying device of this invention may be more clearly understood, such driving means comprising a hand operated lever mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective illustration of a somewhat modified form of the apparatus of this invention, wherein various basic components thereof are clearly illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG. I, wherein the apparatus of this invention is generally designated by the numeral 15.

The apparatus 15 includes a plurality of supporting stations 16, each of which comprise a base plate 17, vertical posts 18 and 20, disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus 15, and having a channel or like upper support 21, connecting upper ends of the posts 18 and 20. The posts 20 may be telescopically adjustable, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprising inner members 22, telescopically receivable in outer members 23, and fixedly positioned with respect thereto by suitable screws 24, or like fasteners. Thus, the entire apparatus 15 is adjustably positionable vertically.

An endless conveyor belt 25 is carried by the apparatus 15, being carried at opposite ends by a drive roller 26 and a driven roller 27, as illustrated respectively in FIGS. 3 and 2.

The drive roller 26 is carried on a shaft 27, which is jour-. naled in a U-shaped yoke 28 having inturned ends 30 and 31, as viewed in FIG. 4, which are welded respectively to opposite sides 32 and 33 of a conveyor belt support 35.

The yoke 28 is supported at its left-mostend, as viewed in FIG. 3, for pivotal movement about an axis provided by a shaft 36 that is, in turn, carried by a vertically disposed post 37 mounted on an angle bracket 38 carried by an outer-most members 23 of a pair of vertical posts 18 and 20, as viewed at the left-most end of FIG. 3. The pivotal connection for the left-most end of the yoke 28, comprises a U-shaped smaller yoke 40, mounted on the shaft 36, for movement of the yoke 28 laterally of the conveyor belt 25.

The roller 26 has the near end of its shaft 41 journaled in an adjacent side 29 of the yoke 28, as viewed in FIG. 3, and an opposite end 42 of the shaft journaled in an adjacent side 43 of the yoke 28, with the shaft end 42 being longitudinally extended and having a pulley 44 mounted thereon, which pulley 44 has a belt 45 operatively connected thereto, with the belt 45 being driven by a pulley 46 carried by a shaft 47 of an electric motor 48.

The opposite end of the conveyor belt is carried by the roller 27; the shaft 50 of which is carried by opposite sides of an end frame 51, with the end frame 51 being welded or otherwise suitably secured to a pair of rods 52 and 53, carried respectively by opposite sides 32 and 33 of the conveyor support 35 The rods 52 and 53 carry brackets 54 and 55, respectively, at their left-most ends, as viewed in FIG. 2, from which depend lugs 56 and 57, the lugs carrying extension springs 58 and 60 respectively secured in suitable holes thereof, with the opposite ends of the extension springs 58 and 60 being secured in corresponding holes in lugs 61 at the right-most ends ofthe springs 58 and 60, with the lugs 61 being carried by suitable brackets 62 and 63, which, in turn, are carried by the side plates 32 and 33 of the conveyor support 35. It will thus be clear that the right-most roller 27 of the conveyor belt 25 is spring-biased toward the rightmost end of the apparatus as viewed in FIG. 2, in order to maintain the desired tension in the conveyor belt 25. If desired, the rods 52 and 53 may be locked in a given spring-tensioned position relative to the brackets 62 and 63, inasmuch as the brackets 62 and 63 are fixedly carried by the conveyor support side wall portions 32 and 33 by screws or like connection members 64.

With reference to FIG. 3, an idler roller 65 is provided, near the drive roller 26, also shaft-mounted within the opposite sides of the yoke 28, for maintaining the lower run of the conveyor belt 25 parallel to the upper run thereof, throughout its length, and above the lower flanges 66 and 67 of the conveyor belt support 35.

With reference to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the lower flanges 66 and 67 of the conveyor belt support are connected by a cross member 68, preferably of channel construction, with the member 68 being pivotally connected by means of a shaft or pin 70 which is carried by a horizontal leg 71 of a vertical support 72, which in turn is carried by a horizontally disposed angle iron 73, or like support that is welded or otherwise suitably secured to outer members 23 of the telescopic posts 18 and 20, for pivotal movement of the conveyor belt support 35 about an axis defined by the pins or shafts 70 and 36, for lateral tilting of the conveyor support 35 and the conveyor belt 25 carried thereby, between the full line and phantom line positions illustrated in FIG. 6.

A plurality of angle irons 74 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the side 32 of the conveyor support 35, and spaced locations along the length thereof, with the angle irons 74 protruding therefrom, as viewed in FIG. 6.

A corresponding number of yoke type pulley supports 75 are carried by horizontal supports 21, and carry pulleys 76 thereon, such pulleys 76 being disposed above the outer ends of the supports 74, as viewed in FIG. 6.

A plurality of cables 77 are anchored by any suitable means 79 onto the angle supports 74, and passed around the pulleys 76 for a quarter turn, being fixedly secured to a horizontally disposed elongated rod 78, at a predetermined distance along the rod 78 from the location of the pulleys 76, by suitable attachment means 80. The rod 78 is carried in the groove of the pulley 76, in a manner illustrated in FIG. 6, for rightward and leftward movement as viewed in FIG. 3, to allow the conveyor support 35 to be lowered from its position illustrated in FIG. 3, to the phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 6.

The rod 78 is connected by a turnbuckle 81, for purposes of adjustment, to a link 82, for pivotal movement relative thereto, with the opposite end of the link 82 being connected to a link 83 that is fixedly disposed relative to a pulley 84 carried on a shaft 85 and mounted on a suitable support 86. The pulley 84 is driven by means of a belt 87 from a drive pulley 88 that in turn is driven by the output shaft 90 of a transmission 91 that is driven by a suitable electric motor 92. Thus, upon actuation of the motor 92, the rod 78 would be moved rightwardly and leftwardly, as viewed in FIG. 3, to allow tilting of the conveyor support and the conveyor 25 carried thereby, in the manner discussed above.

The motor 92 is thus effective to return the conveyor support 35 and conveyor 25 carried thereby to its original substantially horizontally disposed'position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 6, when the rod 78 is returned to its farthest leftward position, as viewed in FIG. 3, and is assisted in doing so by a tension spring 93 connected to a horizontal frame support 94 at one end, and to an arm 95 carried by the lower end of the conveyor support 35. The characteristics of the spring 93 are selected, to facilitate a cushioning of the conveyor and its Support 35, as the same is moved to an extreme downwardly, or tilted position illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 6, as well as for assisting the return of the conveyor and its support 35, as discussed above.

A pair of horizontal supports 96 and 97 extend longitudinally of the apparatus 15, carried on the two leftmost horizontal supports 21 as viewed in FIG. 1, for providing support for the transmission 91 and motor 92, as well as a switch 98 and a relay 100 disposed within a housing 101 carried at the left-most end of the apparatus as viewed in FIG. 1.

A sensing element 102, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 7 is disposed, just above the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, in running clearance therewith, the sensing element 102 being suitably sized to engage grain or other material disposed on the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, for pivotal movement of the sensing element 102 aboutan axis 103, to be moved leftward from the full line position illustrated in FIG. 3, to the phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 3, when thus actuated, with the sensing element 102 including a mercury switch 104 which will be operative in the manner described below. The sensing element 102 is pivotal by means of a universal joint connection generally designated by the numeral 105, which includes, in addition to pivotal movement as discussed above about the axis 103, pivotal movement rightward and leftward about an axis 106, as viewed in FIG. 7. The universal joint 105 is carried by a C-shaped support arm 107 that is connected by means of a suitable fastener 108 to the lower internal flange 67 of the conveyor support 35, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7, this type of connection 108 being suitable for adjustably positioning the sensing element 102 at a desired predetermined distance along the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, as desired. It will be seen that, with particular reference to FIG. 7, with the C-shaped support 107 for the universal joint 105, the support will follow the pivotal movement of the conveyor support 35, as the same is pivoted between its full line and phantom positions illustrated in FIG. 7, such that the sensing element 102 will move out of the way of the conveyor, as viewed in phantom in FIG. 7, inorder to clear feed or other material falling from the upper run of the conveyor in its tilted position.

Upon actuation of the sensing element 102, and consequent actuation of the mercury switch 104, the motor 92 will be actuated to drive the rod 78 rightward, as viewed in FIG. 3, in order to allow the weight of the conveyor support 35 to permit downward tilting of the right-most end of the conveyor as viewed in FIG. 7, an amount permitted by the length of the cable 77.

With particular reference to FIG. 8, the electrical circuitry diagram will enable a clear understanding of the sequence of actuation of the various electrical components. It will first be noted that the electric motor 48 for driving the conveyor such that its upper run is driven in the direction of the arrow 112 in FIG. 3 will generally be in continuous operation during the use of the apparatus 15 of this invention, with the motor 48 being connected to a suitable electric source applied across the motor input leads 113, as viewed in FIG. 4, such a source normally comprising 1 15 Volt A.C. current.

A toggle switch or the like 114 may be provided, to commence operation of the motor 48 of the conveying device of this invention. While the motor 48 is being continuously run, as feed strikes the sensing element 102, the mercury switch 104 is closed for an instant, as viewed in FIG. 8, long enough to actuate the relay 100 by moving the core 115 thereof into contact with the terminals 116 and 117, thereby completing the circuit in line 118, such that when the switch 98 is in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 8, the motor 92 will be actuated to drive the rod 78 rightward as viewed in FIG. 3, to allow the downward tilting of the conveyor. After the instantaneous actuation of the relay 100 by the switch 104, the switch 104 need no longer be operative because of the completion of the circuit between the lines 118 and 120, across the closed switch 98, for driving the motor 92. The motor 92 drives the conveyor to its downward tilted position, and immediately upwardly, by retracting the rod 78 through the pulleys and belt 88, 84 and 87, and through the links 83 and 82 and turnbuckle 81. The pulley 85 carries an arm 121 in its rotation, which is adapted to actuate an arm 122, by striking the same, as the arm 121 is rotated to a predetermined position, upon completion of the cycle of movement of the conveyor, whereby the conveyor support and belt are in their originally substantially horizontal positions illustrated in full lines in FIG. 6. It is in this position that the arm 121 strikes the arm 122 of the switch 98, thereby opening the same and discontinuing the supply of electrical energy to the motor 92. While the switch 122 is of the instantly re-setting type, the circuit is broken by the actuation of the switch 122, for a sufficient period of time for the core 115 of the relay 100 to return to its lower position opening contacts between the contact points 117 and 116, whereby all components are re-set in position for another recycling.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, it will be noted that the apparatus includes a hopper 123 disposed near the right-most end of the conveyor, as viewed in FIG. 1, for depositing feed onto the upper run of the conveyor. The right-most horizontal support 21 is broken away in order to accomodate the hopper 123, as viewed in FIG. 6, and is welded or otherwise suitably secured to a downwardly and inwardly sloped wall 124 thereof, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 6. A rear hopper wall 125 is provided, also fixedly positioned as illustrated. Another wall 126 is provided, disposed opposite the wall 124, and pivotally mounted by means of a hinge 127 to be swingably or pivotally movable inwardly of the hopper 123, between the full line and phantom positions respectively illustrated in FIG. 6. The wall 126 is provided on its outside surface thereof with a plate 128 disposed at right angles to the plane of the wall 126, in order to prevent undesirable loss of grain or the like from the hopper 123, when the plate 126 is pivoted into its phantom position illustrated in FIG. 6. In this regard, when the plate 126 is pivoted into its phantom position as illustrated in FIG. 6, and the plate 128 is disposed inwardly of the hopper 123, the plate 128 connects the inner surface of the pivotally movable wall 126 with the fixedly positioned wall portion 130 of the hopper 123, in order to prevent loss of grain material through a void that would otherwise be left between the wall portions 126 and 130, in the absence of a plate 128 that is moved inwardly with the pivotally movable wall 126.

The lower inner most end of the wall 126 is arcuately configured, as at 131 in FIG. 6, for facilitating the slope of grain particles thereover, and for assuring even and continued distribution of feed onto the upper run of the conveyor 25, when the conveyor is in its downwardly tilted position, and when the wall 126 is in its inwardly tilted position, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 6, when conditions are such that grain is continually being supplied to the hopper 123 in the downwardly tilted position of the conveyor device 35. The purpose of allowing the wall 126 to pivot inwardly in conjunction with the pivotal movement of the conveyor device 35, is that such a movement of the wall 126 permits the wall 126 to move clear of the sidewall 33 of the conveyor device, which sidewall and the upper leftward edge of the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, are pivoted upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 6. Also, this pivotal movement of the wall 126 facilitates the continuous placement of feed onto the tilted belt upper run, which feed would otherwise be placed into contact with the tilted side 33 of the conveyor device, thereby comprising a disadvantageous feed delivery situation. Also, the plate 126 may be resiliently biased, as by means of a spring or the like, in its full line position as illustrated in FIG. 6, although such spring biasing is not so illustrated.

A vertical support 132 is connected to the sidewall 33 of the conveyor device 35, for movement therewith. The support 132 carries an arcuate shoe 133 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper surface thereof, with the shoe 133 being in engagement with the outer surface of the arcuately inturned portion 131 of the pivotally movable wall 126, in the normal or unpivoted position of the wall 126 and conveyor device 35, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Upon downward pivoting of the rightmost end of the conveyor device 35, as illustrated in FIG. 6, and consequent upper movement of the left-most end of the conveyor device 35, the support 132 is driven upwardly and rightwardly, and the shoe 133 engages the arcuate portion 131 of the wall, thereby sliding across the smooth surface of such arcuate portion 131, as the conveyor device 35 assumes the phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 6, and with the shoe 133 also sliding across the outer surface of the arcuately inturned portion 131 of the wall 126, toward its original full line position upon retracting the conveyor device 35 to its original substantially horizontal position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 6.

A plurality of elbows 134 are provided, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the sides 32 and 33 of the conveyor device 35, as illustrated in FIG. 6, such elbows having one leg extending inwardly overlying the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, but spaced therefrom with a suitable running clearance. The purpose of the elbows 134 is to prevent vertically upward movement of the upper run of the belt 25, when the same is disposed in the substantially horizontal full line position illustrated in FIG. 6, and also to prevent sideward and lateral movement of the upper run of the belt 25, either when the same is in the full line position illustrated in FIG. 6, or in the tilted position of the conveyor belt 25. It will be noted, that in the tilted position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 6, of the conveyor belt 25, the belt 25 would be prone to slide downwardly off the rollers 26 and 27, if restraining means were not provided, such as the elbow type restraining means 134.

A plurality of feed deflector plates 136 are provided, preferably one for each conveyor section between horizontal supports 21, each such deflector plate 136 being mounted on a preferably common rod or shaft 137, with the rod or shaft 137 being suitably journaled in bearings 138 which in turn are carried by suitable horizontal supports, such as the angle irons 38,39 or 73. A handle 140 in the form of a lever arm having a manually graspable portion 141 is provided, secured to the rod 137 and to one of the plates 136, as illustrated in FIG. 6, for pivoting the plates 136 between the full line and phantom positions illustrated in FIG. 6, for the purpose of deflecting grain that falls from the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, to one side or the other of the apparatus 15, depending upon the setting of the plates 136. It will be noted that the deflector plates 136 may be manually set by means of the lever arm 140, in that changes in the settings of the deflector plates 136 will normally be infrequent, when the apparatus of this invention is used for feeding animals. It will also be noted, that in the full line position illustrated in FIG. 6, the deflector plates 136 are substantially in line with the upper run of the conveyor belt 25, when the same is in its tilted position. Furthermore, when the plates 136 are in their phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 6, it will be noted that the plates 136 are disposed almost at right angles to the upper run 25 of the conveyor belt, for deflection of grain downwardly beneath the conveying device 35.

OPERATION In the operation of the apparatus 15 of this invention, the apparatus will generally be disposed with its supporting legs 21 and 22 on the ground in an area in which it is desired to feed animals. However, if it is desired, the apparatus may be suspended from the air, as by attaching suitable suspension members to the horizontal supports 21, in a manner not illustrated. Regardless of the mounting of the apparatus of this invention, the operation is substantially the same.

As grain or other suitable feed is delivered into the hopper 123, preferably in a continuous manner, and with the apparatus 15 connected to a source of electrical supply at 113, and with the switch 114 closed to allow continuous movement of the conveyor belt 25 due to energization of the motor 48, and consequent drive through the pulleys 44, 46 and pulley belt 45, the conveyor belt 25 is moved with its upper run directed in accordance with the arrow 112 of FIG. 3. Grain is thus delivered along the length of the conveyor belt, until such grain strikes the switch striker portion 102 which energizes the relay 100 such that its core 115 is drawn upwardly completing the circuit between the points 116 and 117, thereby energizing the motor 92 which is operative through the transmission 91 and pulleys 88 and 84, and pulley belt 87, to drive the linkage members 83, 82 and turnbuckle 81, which in turn will drive the rod 78 to a rightward position as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rightward movement of the rod 78 permits the left-most end of the cable 77 which is secured to the rod 78 at the point 80 to move rightward, as viewed in FIG. 2, thereby allowing the weight of the conveying device 35 and the weight of grain thereon to allow a downward tilting of the right-most side of the conveying device 35, as viewed in FIG. 6, by means of gravity, with such downward movement being limited only by the length of the cable 77 connected to the arm 74 by the connection means 79, which cable 77 is maintained taut due to the weight imposed thereon by the conveyor device 35 with the grain carried thereby, such tautness of the cable 77 maintaining the cable 77 in position on the sheave or pulley 76, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6.

As soon as the conveyor device reaches the downwardly tilted position illustrated in FIG. 6, the grain is permitted to fall freely therefrom, by means of gravity, onto the deflector plates 136, for deflection of the same, either rightwardly or leftwardly ofthe apparatus 15, as viewed in FIG. 6, as desired.

The motor 92 is continually driving the rod 78 in the abovementioned manner, such that the rod 78 reaches its extreme rightward position as viewed in FIG. 2, and then is drawn leftward, thereby exerting sufficient pull on the cable 77, to pull the right side of the conveyor device 35, back to its substantially horizontal position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 6. As the conveyor device 35 returns to its upward position, the arm 121 carried by the shaft 85, which has been rotating due to the drive provided by the motor 92, is caused to strike the arm 122 of the switch 98, thereby momentarily opening the same and thereby opening the circuit to the motor 92. In this up ward position of the conveyor device 35, the switch 104 has assumed its original position such that the circuit across the switch 104 is opened. Thus, upon opening the switch 98, the circuit to the relay 100 also becomes opened, and the core 115 moves from the contacts 116 and 117, thereby resetting the relay 100 in its original downward position such that the motor 92 cannot be automatically reactuated upon the arm 122 springing back into contact after passage of the arm 121 thereby, without reactuation of the relay 100 by closing the switch 104 in the original manner, as by contact of grain or like feed against the striker portion 102 of the switch 104.

It will thus be seen that the apparatus is reset for another cycle, as grain again traverses the conveyor belt upper run and reaches the vicinity of the striker portion 102 of the switch 104. This procedure will continue for as long as it is desired to deposit the grain into a trowel or the like disposed beneath the conveyor device 35, such feed distribution being accomplished in a continuous repetitive cyclic manner, as feed is deposited onto the upper run of the conveyor belt.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to FIG. 9, it will be seen that an apparatus is presented, which is basically similar to the apparatus 15 discussed above, in all ways except for the motor driven pivotal tilting of the conveyor device 151. Accordingly, all other components will not be described in detail with respect to the apparatus 150, but only those components which differ from the preferred embodiment. A rod 152 is provided, which carries the cables 153 that connect the rod 152 around pulleys 154, to the conveying device 151, but with the rod 152 being provided at its left-most end as viewed in FIG. 9, with a pin 155 that is engaged within a slotted hole 156 of a manually operable lever arm 157. The lever arm 157 has a manually graspable portion 158 at its upper end, and is pivoted at its lower end on a pin 160. Another pin 161 carried on the arm 157 is normally received within a complementally configured recess in a lever retaining member 162 when the lever arm 157 is in its full line position illustrated in FIG. 9. The pin is mounted on a bracket 163, as is the member 162, with the bracket 163 being carried on suitable vertical supporting members 21. When it is desired to downwardly tilt the conveyor device 151, the arm 157 is engaged at its upper end 158 by an operator, who will move the same forwardly, to the phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 9, also with a slight upward movement of the arm 157, such that the pin 161 overrides the upper surface of the member 162. When the grain has fallen by means of gravity from the upper run of the tilted belt carried on the conveying device 151, the operator will then retract the lever arm 157 to the original full line position illustrated in FIG. 9, with the pin 161 once again seating in the complemental recess at the left side of the member 162, as viewed in FIG. 9. Otherwise, the operation of the apparatus 150 is the same as described heretofore for the apparatus 15, except that the tilting and retracting of the conveying device 151 is accomplished manually, rather than automatically, as the grain travels along the conveying device 151 to a desired point of discharge, at which point the lever 157 may be actuated by the operator.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, a perspective view of an apparatus generally similar to that 15 as illustrated, as comprising an apparatus 180, which is automatically operative similar to the apparatus 15. The apparatus also includes a conveying device 181 having a conveyor belt 182, movable in the direction of the arrow 183, for receiving feed delivered into a hopper 184. The feed carried along the upper run of the belt 182 is also adapted to strike the striker plate 185 of the switch 186, which in turn, would automatically actuate driving apparatus 187 for moving the rod 188 leftward, as viewed in FIG. 10 to allow the conveying device 181 to be pivoted downwardly, and to be retracted upwardly, in the same manner as the apparatus 15. In the apparatus 180, the motor and other drive components 190 are provided for continuously driving the conveyor 182, and the drive components 187 are actuated in a manner similar to that described with respect to the diagram of FIG. 8, but all details are not illustrated in FIG. 10, for the sake of simplicity and clarity. Also, the hopper 184 is provided with a pivotally movable plate 191, in the same manner as the plate 126 of the apparatus 15 is mounted, but all details which would facilitate the pivotal movement of the plate 191 are not shown, once again, for the sake of clarity. However, the operational components of the apparatus of FIG. 10, where omitted, are to be taken as being constructed and operative in the same manner as comparable components of the apparatus 15 illustrated in FIG. 1.

It will be understood from the foregoing that various modifications may be made in the details of construction and operation of the various components and of the complete apparatus of this invention, all within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally downwardly tilting said conveying meanslaterally of said predetermined path about a fixed axis at one side of said conveying means for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, wherein said tilting means comprise means carrying said conveying means for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis means for lowering oneside of said conveying means through an arc and for then raising said one side of said conveying means through the same are and returning said conveying means to a substantially horizontal position, wherein said lowering means comprises a horizontally disposed rod horizontally movable between a first position in which said conveying means is horizontally disposed and a second position in which said conveying means is tilted, said rod having at least one cable connected thereto, said cable being connected at its opposite end to the downwardly tiltable side of said conveying means, and with a pulley being provided for engagement by said cable between ends.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said rod is carried in a plurality of said pulleys.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said lowering and returning means includes drive means provided at one end of said rod for moving said rod between said first and second positions.

4. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along alongitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally downwardly tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path about a fixed axis at one side of said conveying means for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, wherein said tilting means comprise means carrying said conveying means for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis means for lowering one side of said conveying means through an arc and for then raising said one side of said conveying means through the same arc and returning said conveying means to a substantially horizontal position, wherein said lowering and returning means includes a motor driven mechanism connected to said conveying means, including sensing means associated with said conveying means for sensing the conveying of feed to a predetermined position along said path, said sensing means being disposed in relation to said path for actuation by feed carried therealong, and wherein said sensing means is connected to said motor for driving said motor upon actuation of said sensing means.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein switch means is provided for actuation by said mechanism for discontinuing the operation of said lowering and returning means after return of said conveyor means to a substantially horizontal position.

6. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, wherein the means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means comprises a hopper disposed above said conveying means, said hopper having an inwardly pivotable side wall disposed opposite the lowermost tiltable side of said conveying means, including means for pivoting said side wall inwardly upon pivotal tilting of said conveying means.

7. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, including a pivotable deflector plate disposed below the lowermost tiltable side of said conveying means, said plate being pivotable about a longitudinal axis between a first osition in which the plate is disposed for deflecting feed laterally outwardly of the lowermost tilted side of the conveying means, and a second position laterally opposite thereto, and means for positioning said plate in a selected one of said two positions.

8, A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, including sensing means associated with said conveying means for sensing the conveying of feed to a predetermined position along said path, said sensing means being disposed in relation to said path for actuation by feed carried therealong, wherein said sensing means includes an electrical switch carried above said path on a universal joint connection. 

1. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally downwardly tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path about a fixed axis at one side of said conveying means for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, wherein said tilting means comprise means carrying said conveying means for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis means for lowering one side of said conveying means through an arc and for then raising said one side of said conveying means through the same arc and returning said conveying means to a substantially horizontal position, wherein said lowering means comprises a horizontally disposed rod horizontally movable between a first position in which said conveying means is horizontally disposed and a second position in which said conveying means is tilted, said rod having at least one cable connected thereto, said cable being connected at its opposite end to the downwardly tiltable side of said conveying means, and with a pulley being provided for engagement by said cable between ends.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said rod is carried in a plurality of said pulleys.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said lowering and returning means includes drive means provided at one end of said rod for moving said rod between said first and second positions.
 4. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally downwardly tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path about a fixed axis at one side of said conveying means for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, wherein said tilting means comprise means carrying said conveying means for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis means for lowering one side of said conveying means through an arc and for then raising said one side of said conveying means through the same arc and returning said conveying means to a substantially horizontal position, wherein said lowering and returning means includes a motor driven mechanism connected to said conveying means, including sensing means associated with said conveying means for sensing the conveying of feed to a predetermined position along said path, said sensing means being disposed in relation to said path for actuation by feed carried therealong, and wherein said sensing means is connected to said motor for driving said motor upon actuation of said sensing means.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein switch means is provided for actuation by said mechanism for discontinuing the operation of said lowering and returning means after return of said conveyor means to a substantially horizontal position.
 6. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, wherein the means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means comprises a hopper disposed above said conveying means, said hopper having an inwardly pivotable side wall disposed opposite the lowermost tiltable side of said conveying means, including means for pivoting said side wall inwardly upon pivotal tilting of said conveying means.
 7. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, including a pivotable deflector plate disposed below the lowermost tiltable side of said conveying means, said plate being pivotable about a longitudinal axis between a first position in which the plate is disposed for deflecting feed laterally outwardly of the lowermost tilted side of the conveying means, and a second position laterally opposite thereto, and means for positioning said plate in a selected one of said two positions.
 8. A device for delivering feed to animals, comprising means for conveying feed along a longitudinal substantially horizontal path, means facilitating the depositing of feed onto said conveying means, and means for pivotally tilting said conveying means laterally of said predetermined path for gravity drop of feed deposited thereon, over a lower tilted side of the conveying means, including sensing means associated with said conveying means for sensing the conveying of feed to a predetermined position along said path, said sensing means being disposed in relation to said path for actuation by feed carried therealong, wherein said sensing means includes an electrical switch carried above said path on a universal joint connection. 